(or, Cardiomyopathy brought on by stress)

For a long time I have been aware that stress can cause heart problems in persons with normal coronary arteries. This condition was first described in 1991 with many names, including “broken heart syndrome”. It’s name originated from the Japanese word for an octopus trapping pot, a round vessel with a narrow neck that resembles the ventriculographic appearance of the heart at the end of systole.

There have been reported increases in this condition from many countries in the past few years. Demographically, most have occurred in women ages 58 to 75. Some times there is no triggering event. And, quite often, no prior heart problems. When there is a sudden severe stress, often there is a surge of catecholamines, and, or, microvascular ischemia. Remember stress activates the fight or flight response. The things that typically precede this condition include deaths in the family, catastrophic medical diagnoses, excessive gambling, tensions related to financial difficulties, sometimes fear of domestic abuse, and environmental stressors.

Patients may present to an emergency room with all the symptoms of a heart attack. Ruling out recent emotional stressors is an important helpful tool for diagnosis.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, emotional issues are the first things we consider and treat. There is a tacit agreement that the body can, and will, heal itself, if given the opportunity to relax. In the Western medical world, anyone over the age of fifty who is going to have surgery must have an EKG. It was surprising to me to note how many people had had heart attacks sometime in the past, of which they were unaware.

Traditional Chinese Medicine performed as Shiatsu, Tuina, or acupuncture can change the way you deal with stress. Most people feel that stress is a given in our human world. Perhaps so, that’s hard to say. Nevertheless, I can decide to change the way I handle it, and I am very grateful for these tools.